Apparatus for controlling the operation of a talking machine or machines in timed relation to a cinematographic machine



Aug. '7, 1923.

- F. E. MOSLEY APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A TALKING MACHINE OR .MACHINES IN TIMED RELATION TO A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed OV- 29 '7 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 7, 1923. 1,464,329

F. E. MOSLEY APPARATUS .FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A TALKING MACHINE OR MACHINES IN TIMED RELATION TO A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed Nov. 29 1920 '7 SheetsSheet 2 Aug. 7, 1923. 1,464.329

F. E. MOSLEY APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A TALKING MACHINE OR MACHINES IN TIMED RELATION TO A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed NOV- 29 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 7, 1923. 1,464,329

F E.MOSLEY APPARATUS FOR C ONTROLLING THE OPERATION A TALKING MACHINE OH MACHINES IN TIMED RELATION TO A CINE GRAPHIC MACHINE Filed NOV. 29 0 7 l Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 7, 1923. r 1,464,329

F. E. MOSLEY APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A TALKING MACHINE OR MACHINES IN TIMED RELATION TO A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MACHINE 1 Filed NOV. 29 1920 7 Sheets-Sheer, 5

Aug. 7, 1923. 1,464,329

F. E.|W()SLJEY APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A TALKING MACHINE OR MACHINES IN TIMED RELATION To A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MACHINE Aug. 7, 1923. 1,464,329

F. E. MOSLEY APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A TALKING MACHINE OR MACHINES IN TIMED RELATION TO A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed Nov. 29., 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet? LEY, a subject of the King of the United- Kin dom of Great Britain and Ireland, and

' phono acters of a photoplay.

Patented Aug. 7, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca.

FRANK ERNEST KOSLI EY, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

APrAaA'rUs roa con'rnoLLme 'rnn orEaA'non or A TALKING MACHINE or. mAcnnms m :rmnn RELATION TO A CINEKATOGBAPEIG monnm Application filed. November 29, 1920. Serial in. 427,134.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK ERNEST Mosresi ing at Shettleston, Glasgow, Scotland, have invented a certain new and useful Imrovement in Apparatus for Controlling the peration of a Talking Machine or Machines in Timed Relation to a Cinematographic Machine, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to improved apparatus for renderin practicable the production of son speecli or other sound in connection wit cinematograph displays and the like.

For the production of talking pictures, singin pictures and the like it has been'proposed eretofore toemplo cinematographic machines and phonographs driven in synchronism, the phonograph being speeded up and retarded with acceleration and retardation of the speed of the cinematographic.

machine.

The present invention is differentiated from such prior roposals in respect that the phonograph or p onographs is or are driven intermittently, independently of the'cinematographic machine, at the correct speed for proper reproduction of the sounds, the

aph or honographs being automatica ly coupled to and uncou led from the driving means therefor at pre etermined times selected to accord with gestures of particular characters, incidents or other features of the photoplay or the like being represented.

While the invention is applicable generally as a means of controlling any audible accompaniment of a cinemato aphic dislay, for example, the oral delivery of the escription of a picture, for the sake of simplicity I describe the invention as applied to the control of the delivery of vocal sounds assumed to be uttered by or to char- Generally speakin the duration of a cylcle of operation 0 a talking machine or p onograph using recorddiscs or cylinders is considerably less than that required for the exhibition of a moving picture of the usual reel length. Inasmuch, however, as

conversation, for example, is seldom continuous, I find it unnecessary with my invention to employ talking machines operatmg in series, as, in lieu of allowing the record disc or c llnder to rotate idly durlng periods 01? si ence, I bring it to rest and restart it only when the play requires recommencement of vocal sound, thus elimi-- nating avoidable surface sound.

Again, and this is of great practical importance, my invention renders it possible to employ a number of talking machines operating in parallel, one machine say for each character or group of characters, the

machines being brought into operation selectively. I

With these objects I provide what I prefer to term a selecter-commutator which whenused inthe theatre is driven from the cinematographic machine at reduced speed and which effects at the required times the starting and stopping of, the talking machine or machines.

It will thus be seen that for a theatre in which is installed a drive for the selectorcommutator, a talkin machine or machines with driving means t erefor and controlling means operable by the selector-commutator, the only additional materials required for the production of a given talking or singing picture, for example, are a selector-commutator appropriate to that picture and the requisite talking machine records. These additional materials can of course be sup- .chine or another talking machine at the proper times.

I have above referred to the controlling means as being operable by a selector-commutator, inferring thereby that an electrically operated control is contemplated. it should be understood, however, that the control may be effected otherwise.

In the specification of the co-pending application No. 427,133 there is described a machine for producing graphs representative of the duration of periods of sounds or successions of sounds and of intervals of silence of characters in a photopla'y or the like. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that from such graphs it is possible to obtain accurate commutator devices in which say each: period of sound is represented by a conducting segment and each period of silence is represented by a segment of insulation, or vice versa.

In the following description it is assumed that the completion of a circuit through a conducting segment causes the talking machine to be coupled to its driving means.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan showing an installation embodying the invention and including in the particular .instance illustrated six talking machines. Fig. 2 is a plan to a larger scale, showing the selector commutator and driving means therefor. Fig. 3 is an elevation corresponding to Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a detail View of part of the driving mechanism for the selector-commutator. Fig. 5 is a section of. the selector-commutator. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the frame carrying the brushes that cooperate with the selector-commutator. Fig. 7 is an end view partly in section showing one of the brushes. Fig. 8 shows a return conducting ring and a brush in con-- tact therewith. Fig. 9 is a "vertical section andFig. 10 a plan showing the means for controlling the operation of the talking machine.

I shall first explain the arrangement for driving the selector-commutator, which in the present instance is employed in connexion with the control of six talking machines it being understood, of course, that the invention is applicable to an installation comprising any desired number oi talking machines.

Referring to the drawings, i denotes a drum of insulating material carrying the commutator rings, said drum being fitted cob a mandrel 2 fixed on a shaft 3 which in practice is connected through reduction gearing with the film-feeding cinematographic mac ""1 nine. tlon illustrated an entensi carries a worm wheel a vel gear 7 meshing with .i gs r 0 one end of a shaft 9 at the opposite e" which is a bevel gear 10 engaged by a a gear 11 on a spindle 12 carr" gear 13 meshing with a bevel shaft 15 operatively connected.

able means with the film-feeding spindle of a cinematograph projector (not shown).

Provision is made for disconnecting the shaft 3 from the driving gear and for arresting rotation of the drum 1. As shown, the shaft 6 on which the worm 5 is cut or fixed is a'd'apted to be lowered, the lowering of the shaft 6 bringing the worm 5 out of mesh with the worm wheel 4. To lower the shaft 6, the operator depresses the lever 16 attached to detents 17 on which rests the bearing 18 supporting one end of the shaft 6, thereby allowing the shaft 6 to swing around the axis of the shaft 9 carried by hearing members 19 integral with the main bearing 20 of the shaft 6. To bring the worm again into mesh, the free end of the shaft 6 is lifted, whereupon the spring 21 restores the detents 17 to supporting position. Connected to the worm wheel 4 is a ring 22 formed with a peripheral notch 23 engageable by a spring-pressed pin 24 when the drum is in correct position for starting. As the drum may have performed only a partial rotation by the time a film has completely passed through the cinematographic machine, it is desirable to be able to bring the drum readily to the same starting position independently of the cinematographic machine. With the present arrangement, when the worm 5 is out of mesh with the worm wheel 4, and the spring-pressed pin 24 is disengaged from the notch 23, the drum'l and shaft 3 may be further rotated by manual operation of a knob 25 on the end of the shaft 3 until the notch 23 is in position to be engaged by the pin 24:. There is but one possible angular position of the drum 1 relatively to the shaft 3, the drum being secured in driving position by means of the boss 26 fixed on the driving flange 27 and by the nut 28 threaded on a boss 29 of the drum-carrying mandrel 2 and pressing on the washer 30. V

The selector-commutator includes a number of metallic rings 31 held in fixed angular relation to the drum 1 and separated by rings 32 of insulating material; each of the rings 31 presenting on its periphery conducting segments spaced b segments of insulation, the latter being tted into periphcral notches of the rings 31 and united by annuii oi insulation, as shown in Fig. 5.

Qn "'h shaft 3 is a return conducting rin s 31 are electrically connected to v u the ring 33. Tl'ireaded into i conducting pin 37 sheathed u on insulating material led paralinis of the shaft 3. The driving rmed with pockets, one opposite i', in each pocket is received urging a terminal 40 into conmesses terminal is connected by a cable 41 laced through a rotatable bearing member 42 to slightly from the inner face of the driving flange, so that when the selector-commutator is slipped on to the mandrel 2 in correct position and the nut tightened up, the elec-' trical connections will he completed without necessity for further manipulations. 'lhe services of a skilled electrician are thus quite unnecessary.

Co-operatin with the selector-commuta tor are a numfier oi brushes or collectors 43 presenting knife edges enga eable with the commutator rings and eac urged by a spring l4: towards the correspondin ring 31..

Each brush or collector 43 sh es on a strip 4-5 of insulating material urged by a spring 46 towards the ring 31 and contributing to the prevention or the formation of arcs.

As shown, the brushes 4:3 and strips so are mounted on a rocking frame l7 carried by a standard 48 adjustable as a whole towards and from the selector-commutator.

The brush or collector 49 contacting with the ring 33 is slidable in a groove in a block 50 of insulating material resting on a stand 51, being continuously urged into contact with the ring 33 by a spring 52 of which one end is anchored to a pin 53 fixed to a plate 54; of insulating material and of which the other end is connected to a pin to tired to the brush or collector 49..

The talking machines receive their actuation from a shaft 56 driven by gears 57, 56 from a continuously running pulley 59, operative relation between the turntables and the shaft 56 being established and disestablished by the opening and closing of circuits containing the rings 31.

Fixed on the shaft 56 at intervals are bevel gears 60 each meshing with a hovel gear 61 on an upright shaft 62 carrying a spur pinion 63 engageable with an idler wheel 6% meshing with a pinion 65 on the upright shalt 66 carrying the turntable 6? on which is carried the record disc 66.

The pinion 63 is slidahle on the shaft 62 into and out of engagement with the idler 64: according as it is desired or not to transmit movement from theshaft 56 to the shaft 66.

The sliding movement of the pinion 63 is ed'ected by rocking a lever 69 forked at one end to embrace the boss of the pinion 633 and pivoted at the opposite end.

Between its ends the lever 69 is supported by a spring 70. The lever 69 carries also between its ends an annature ll adapted to be attracted by an electromagnet 72 when the latter is excited.

As shown. the excitation circuits include a battery T6, a lead with hranches to the 'electro -rna' nets 72, and thence to the. brushes and t ence by way of the rings 31 to the ring 33,; a return connection itrom the ring 33.

it will he understood electro magnets 72 is enci cult is closed through the corresponding ring 31, and that when the brush 36 primes on to each of the a segment of insulation the 'electromagnet will be de-energiaed'and the spring 76'will' raise the lever 69th brin the spur pinion .63 out of mesh with the idler.

As the record is intended for intermittent reproduction the disc 68 must be stopped anjd started in one predetermined position on y.

when the cir- Provision is therefore made for positively locating the disc 68 in relation to the turntahle 67 so that it can only occupy one operative position in relation to the turntable and provision is made whereby the turntable 6? is positively arrested in one position only of its circular path.

For locating the disc 68 relatively to the turntable 67, the disc is apertured for engagement by a pin 7 4 or the like on the turn table 67 and for arresting the turntable there is fixed on the underside of the turn table a catch 7 5 positively engageable by adetent 76 urged towards the catch by a spring 77 and adapted to be moved into its positions of engagement and disengagement concomitantly with the up and down movements of the pinion 63.

it will he understood that when the detent 76 is retracted the rotation of the disc 68 may he immediately initiated so that the reproduction of the record will commence at the exact instant desired. When the soecoh or the like is completed, no matter how many rotations is has already efiected, the disc 68 completes any rotation already partially edected, while the sound hex continues silent, the turntable 67 being posi tively arrested in its predetermined position by the detent 76 immediately on com= pletion of such rotation.

it will be understood of course that the talking machine or machines may be located in any position convenient for the purpose oi the entertainment while the selector-com mutator and its driving means may he located in the lantern house or in fact in any convenient position.

claim 1. Apparatus for ensuring the operation of phonographs in timed relation to a cinematographic machine, comprising the combination of a continuously operated driver for the phonographs, said driver being in dependent oi the cinematographic machine, means for coupling and uncoupling the driver and the phonographs, a selector switch. independent of the film in continuous driving relation. with the cinemato graphic machine, and circuits controlled by said switch for determining the operation of said coupling and uncoupling means at predetermined times.

2. The combination of a cinematograph, a phonograph, a commutator geared to the cinematograph and comprising a selector ring having alternatin conducting and nonconducting peripheral segments, a return ring and a connection between the conduct ing segments of the selector ring and the return ring, a brush contacting with each ring, electro-magnetic means for electromagnetic means being included within an 15 electric circuit with the brushes and the two rizigs.

n testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK ERNEST MOSLEY. Witnesses:

ISABEL ROLLO, FIDRENGE HOUSTON. 

